Lionville Middle School Student-Athlete & Parent Participation Agreement Philosophy The opportunity provided by the Lionville Middle School for middle school boys and girls to represent their school and community through participation in interscholastic athletics is a PRIVILEGE. Participation in middle school athletics offers students significant lifetime learning experiences that are not duplicated in other areas of the total education program. Our varsity middle school programs are meant to be developmental and serve as feeder programs for the districts high school varsity athletic programs. Sportsmanship An important mission of the interscholastic athletics program is to teach and reinforce values relating to sportsmanship, respectful competition and fair play. It is expected that team personnel, parents, and spectators respect the mission by exhibiting appropriate behavior at athletic events. Mandatory Policy to be able to start Participation Procedures that need to be completed and submitted to the coach before a student-athlete can participate with first day of practice to start the season. 1 Participation Fee must be paid in full and receipt for payment turned into the coach 2 Participation agreement must be read and signed by student-athletes and their parents and or guardian and turned into the coach. 3 Annual Physical and Permission form must be completed and signed and turned into the coach. Student Eligibility Requirements Academic & Curriculum Requirements for Eligible Student-Athletes High school interscholastic sports programs in Pennsylvania are governed by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic athletics Association (PIAA). As a member district, we must follow the policies and regulations for eligibility formulated by the association. Coaches will uphold the actions of the AD/Administrator regarding athletic-eligibility. Eligible student-athletes must pursue a curriculum defined and approved by the administration as being full-time. Middle School: Student-athletes attending middle school must be passing all subjects as of every Friday during a grading period. Student Athletes who fail to meet this requirement will be ineligible to participate the following week. If the studentathlete does not bring up his/her grade to a passing score during the week, he/she will remain ineligible until the classroom teacher informs the AD that the student is passing. At the start of a season, student-athletes must have passed at least four full-credit subjects or the equivalent during the previous grading period (middle school, six). Eligibility for fall season sports is determined by the final grades from the preceding school year. If a student-athlete received a failing or incomplete grade in any subject from the preceding marking period, he/she is in eligible for 15 days. Eligible student-athletes must pursue a curriculum defined and approved by the Administration as being full-time. Middle School: Student-athletes attending middle school must be passing all subjects as of every Friday during a grading period.
Equipment Care and Inventory Equipment purchased with school district funds is the property of the school district and student athletes are expected to assume the responsibility for the proper care and management of that equipment. Student-athletes are held accountable and responsible for returning the equipment in good condition at the conclusion of the season. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to reimburse the athletic department for any equipment lost or stolen during the time that the equipment is in their possession and they hold the responsibility for such equipment. Hazing The Lionville middle school believes that students must be protected from hazing and/or initiation ceremonies. All verbal, written, or physical conduct, which harasses, humiliates, persecutes students, or disrupts or interferes with any student s curricular or extracurricular experiences shall not be tolerated. Coaches must enforce the Downingtown School Board Policy No. 247 on Hazing. In particular, coaches will communicate and enforce the following. Any student who is found, after investigation, to have engaged in hazing of any student, or the filing of false charges, shall be subject to disciplinary actions up to including expulsion. Any student who witnesses or has knowledge of hazing activities and fails to report such actions shall also be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions through Policy 247. It is imperative that the coaching staff understands the difference between team-building and hazing activities. Hazing is defined as any activity that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental health, physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or membership in or affiliation with any organization (Board Policy 247). Hazing by definition is an activity where a high-status member orders other members to engage in or suggests that they engage in behavior that in some way humbles a newcomer who lacks the power to resist because he/she wants to gain admission into a group. Endangering mental health shall include forced conduct which may result in extreme embarrassment or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual. Any hazing activity, whether by an individual or a group shall be presumed to be forced activity, even if a student willingly participates. Communication with Coaches Parents WILL NOT attempt to address the coaches of any team immediately at the conclusion of any games or practices. Coaches have many post game/practice responsibilities, including supervision of players. This would be the absolute worst time to attempt to engage with an informative, productive, investigative conversation with a coach. Should a parent deem it necessary to communicate with a coach for any reason or circumstance they should contact the coach or athletic director via email. Parents who have sent such an email should understand that the athletic administration approves of and defines a timely response as being a reply that is within 36 hours after the coach has received such and email. Participation Standards Participation in interscholastic athletics is a PRIVILEGE. Student-athletes must maintain certain standards in order to earn the privilege of participation. At a minimum, the following standards are required of all student-athletes.
1 Exhibit public behavior that will reflect positively on the team, school, community, family, and self. It goes without saying that student-athletes should not be engaged in any activity that would result in police intervention. 2 Exhibit responsible, respectful, and trustworthy behavior to teammates and coaches. 3 Exert the effort needed to maintain your highest level of academic achievement. 4 Voluntarily comply with all team, school, and school system rules, regulations and policies 5 Exhibit appropriate behavior at all team and school-related activities 6 Attend all team functions unless ill or given prior permission to be absent by the coach 7 Respect and comply with all decisions made by the coaches and athletic department 8 Respect calls and decisions made by the game officials. At no time should a student-athlete ever challenge an official s decisions or authority. 9 Display appropriate sportsmanship at all times 10 Report to the coach any issues or developments that may affect eligibility status. All students at Lionville Middle school are expected to refrain from the use of all tobacco products, drugs, and alcohol, both at school and during non-school times. Parents are expected to take appropriate, decisive action to identify and prevent non-prescribed use of these substances by their child who is a student-athlete. Dismissal From or Quitting a Team Once an athlete begins practice in a sport and his/her squad membership is terminated for a reason other than being cut due to lack of ability, he/she is ineligible to participate in any other sport during that season unless he/she is given prior approval by the athletic director and/or the administration after a thorough investigation of the case with all involved parties. Once an athlete is on a team and voluntarily quits that team, he/she is ineligible to participate in any other sport during that season unless he/she is given prior approval by the athletic director and/or the administration. Assumption of Risk Participation in interscholastic athletics often includes intense competition and poses the potential of serious catastrophic or life-threatening injury. Participants and parents are urged to consider that there are inherent risks and hazards associated with athletic participation. Risks vary from sport to sport and can occur under direct supervision and with use of proper safety equipment.
Lionville Middle School STUDENT-ATHLETE & PARENT ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT PARENT PARTICIPATION FORM SCHOOL YEAR: SPORTS TEAM PARTICIPATING IN: I,, and I, Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name(s) printed Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name(s) printed I, Student-Athletes name printed Parent & Student-Athlete: Read carefully, discuss, and review this participation agreement. Complete the requested information and affix signatures and return the completed agreement to the Head Coach of the sport the student athlete is participating in. Stipulations: The student-athlete and his or her parent/guardian have received and read the Student-Athlete & Parent Athletic Participation Agreement. Based on this information, the student and parent/guardian understand and stipulate to the following: 1 I/We understand the eligibility regulations required for participation 2 I/We affirm that the student has satisfied all of the eligibility requirements, including age, residence and academics 3 I/We understand that participation of ineligible players will result in individual and team sanctions, including forfeits for the team. 4 I/We affirm that the student will exert effort to maintain a high level of academic achievement. 5 I /We understand there is potential for serious, catastrophic, or life threatening injury associated with participation in a sport. 6 I/We affirm that the student will not participate in hazing at any time, of any nature. 7 I/We as a participant or spectator, will exhibit the highest level of sportsmanship at contests. 8 I/We will follow appropriate procedures in communicating concerns to coaches. 9 I/We will affirm that the student will abide by all team and participation standards. 10 I/We affirm that the student will not use steroids, illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco unless medically prescribed for a specific condition or illness. Permission to Participate I/We hereby authorize and consent to our child s participation in interscholastic athletics and sports. We understand that the sport(s) in which our child will be participating is potentially dangerous, and that physical injuries may occur to our child requiring emergency medical care and treatment. I/We assume the risk of injury to our child that may occur in an athletic activity. Will Not Hold Responsible In consideration of the acceptance of our child by the Lionville Middle School in its athletic program, and the benefits derived by our child from participation I/We agree to release and hold harmless the Downingtown Area School District/Lionville Middle School, its members, the Superintendent of schools, the principal, coaches, athletic directors, and any and all other agents, servants, and/or employees and agree to indemnify each of them from any claims, costs, suits, actions, judgment, and expenses arising from our child s participation in interscholastic athletics.
Emergency Medical Treatment and Care I/We hereby give our consent and authorize the Lionville Middle School and its agents, servants, and /or employees to consent on our behalf and on behalf of our childe, to emergency medical care and treatment in the event we are unable to be notified by reasonable attempts of the need for such emergency medical care and treatment. Unselfish Participation and putting Team and Teammates First I/We agree to participate knowing full well that I am involved in a team sport. I agree to put aside any and all individual goals and personal accomplishments to position myself to work in harmony and extremely hard with my teammates to build a successful championship caliber team. I/We agree to unselfishly accept any role, position, responsibility and circumstance that the coach asks me to fill for the good of the team and my teammates. I will execute my given responsibilities with great effort and reliability for the good of the team, my teammates, coaches, my family, myself, my school, and the community I represent as a member of a Lionville Middle School sports team. I/We will be committed to being the perfect team member for the duration of the season. I will be in relentless pursuit to become the best player I can be. I will participate in practice and contests with great enthusiasm and great effort. I/We will demonstrate a level of sportsmanship that all parties who are involved with this team will be proud of how well I conduct myself as a parent/guardian and or a student-athlete representing Lionville Middle School. I/We have carefully read, reviewed, and understand the Student-Athlete & Parent Participation Agreement & Parent Permission Form. I/We understand the conditions for participation in the Downingtown Area School District/Lionville Middle School athletic program, and I/We understand there are inherent risks associated with participation. I/We agree to grant my/our permission for our child to participate in athletics at Lionville Middle School. I/We agree to all rules, regulations, & stipulations set forth in this participation agreement. Please affix signatures below and return to the Head Coach for the sport the parent/guardian and student-athlete is participating in. Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Signature of Student-Athlete